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Starlin Castro, Cubs reportedly close on contract extension

Starlin Castro and the Cubs are close to agreeing to a seven-year contract extension. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Chicago Cubs and star shortstop Starlin Castro are very close on an extension and could announce a long-term deal as soon as Tuesday, ESPN.com's Bruce Levine reported.

Citing a "major-league source," Levine reported that the deal is a seven-year, $59 million contract. The Cubs will then have a club option on an eighth year with a $1 million buyout.

Levine reported that both sides worked out some tenuous issues in the early stages of negotiations:

Contract negotiations had slowed due to contract language that both sides insisted on. Although the deal took some time to complete there was never a disconnect between the Cubs and agent Paul Kinzer -- of the Wasserman Group -- who represent Castro. Kinzer was at Wrigley Field on Monday apparently working on the final details of the contract.

The 22-year-old Castro has been one of the bright spots for a Cubs team mired in what is soon to be its third consecutive losing season. Castro is batting .276 with 12 homers and 62 RBI this season, though both his on-base and slugging percentages have dipped from last year.